Mike Michaud in 2014 Maine Governor's race

On Abortion: Evolved from pro-life to pro-choice over period of 30 years

Democrat Mike Michaud was forced to respond often because he was besieged by both LePage and Cutler. Responding to criticism that he cast a number of votes earlier in his career against equal rights for gays and lesbians and against reproductive rights, Michaud acknowledged that he has indeed changed his position since he first was elected as a 24-year-old state representative. "Yes, I have evolved, but what's wrong with that?" he said.

Cutler didn't relent. "I'm glad Mike has evolved, but he's not being honest. He cast those votes when he was 24, 34, 44, and even 54. It took him 30 years (to evolve)," he said, turning to Michaud. "You had to go to Washington to find out you were wrong?"

Source: Press-Herald on 2014 Maine Gubernatorial debate Oct 15, 2014

On Drugs: Legal pot makes drug more accessible to children and teens

The leading candidates for governor in Maine danced around the subject of whether the state should follow the city of Portland's lead and legalize recreational marijuana statewide. Portland voters overwhelmingly approved a city ordinance that makes possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use legal. The change, however, may be largely symbolic as both state and federal laws making possession illegal would supersede the ordinance, according to law enforcement.

A spokeswoman for the Democrat in the gubernatorial race, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, said he would want to see more details of any bill that would legalize or further decriminalize marijuana in Maine. "But he is concerned that such efforts could make the drug more accessible to children and teens," Michaud's campaign spokeswoman said. "The congressman is willing to sit down to discuss the issue with advocates for the law change and with representatives from the public health and law enforcement communities."

Source: Bangor Daily News on 2014 Maine governor race Sep 3, 2014

On Social Security: Soc. Sec. & Medicare secure retirement; they're not welfare

LePage lumped Social Security and Medicare into the definition of welfare: "It doesn't matter what liberals call these payments, it is welfare, pure and simple," LePage said. "Liberals from the White House all the way down to Democratic leadership in Augusta believe that redistribution of wealth--taking money from hard-working taxpayers and giving it to a growing number of welfare recipients--is personal income. It's not. It's just more welfare expansion."

Rep. Mike Michaud, LePage's Democratic opponent in this year's race for governor, called LePage's comments "an insult to Maine seniors." Michaud said, "These two programs have helped to provide a secure retirement to thousands upon thousands of hard-working men and women who have earned them one paycheck at a time. They deserve much better than to have their monthly Social Security checks called 'welfare handouts.' The governor should be embarrassed that he ever suggested such a thing."

Source: Portland Press Herald on 2014 Maine gubernatorial race Jun 26, 2014

On Civil Rights: Would be 1st openly gay governor; but evolved on LGBT rights

Maine's oldest and largest gay rights advocacy group has endorsed Democratic US Rep. Mike Michaud in the state's 2014 gubernatorial race, throwing its weight behind the 6-term congressman who would become the nation's first openly gay governor. EqualityMaine's former longtime director gave the independent candidate Eliot Cutler an enthusiastic endorsement just two weeks after Michaud announced in early November he is gay.

A Cutler spokeswoman said, "Mike Michaud's voting record in the Maine Legislature--19 consecutive votes against equal rights for the LGBT community--speaks for itself."

Michaud's campaign has downplayed the lawmaker's record in the Maine Legislature, saying he, like many politicians, has evolved on the issues over time. Staffers point to his record in D.C., where he has earned a near-perfect approval rating from the Human Rights Campaign for his votes on issues of LGBT equality.

Source: Bangor Daily News on 2014 Maine gubernatorial race Jan 2, 2014

On Jobs: AdWatch: Unions endorse Michaud "to represent Maine workers"

The Maine Republican Party says two merging unions wield power and influence that is vastly out of scale with their actual representation among the labor force in Maine. The unions have supported Mike Michaud (D).

"We defend the right of Maine workers to have a voice in their wages, benefits and working conditions," said a union leader. "Together, we will move forward to address common legislative issues such as the urgent need to accept federal funds to expand health-care coverage and to elect a governor who represents Maine workers. We are united in supporting Congressman Mike Michaud as Maine's next governor."

"This really proves that the unions have lost their moorings as to what their purpose is," said a Maine GOP spokesman. "Their first order of business is electing Mike Michaud, who will raise taxes and hurt small businesses. It's pretty clear that this is nothing more than a new political action committee funded by forcing Maine people to pay out of their paychecks."

Source: Maine Sun Journal on 2014 Maine Governor race Dec 20, 2013

On Environment: AdWatch: Replace LePage with a pro-environment governor

A leading environmental group is endorsing Rep. Michaud in what seems to already be a three-person governor's race in Maine. The Sierra Club announced their support for Michaud at a news conference Monday.

The group had already said there's one candidate who's been stricken from their list: Gov. Paul LePage. That left either Michaud or independent Eliot Cutler. A spokesman says the environmental group is devoting all of its resources to replacing LePage with "a pro-environment governor."

Source: MPBN Maine Public Broadcasting on 2014 Maine Governor race Nov 25, 2013

The above quotations are from 2014 Maine Gubernatorial debates and race coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2014 Maine Gubernatorial debates and race coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Mike Michaud. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Dec 06, 2018